The former Spurs boss watched Sissoko in action as Toulouse beat Haidara's Nancy side last Saturday.

Newcastle have had a £3million bid for the 20-year-old left-back turned down.

Hammers boss Sam Allardyce is also keen to recruit a left-back as George McCartney is out long-term through injury and had been looking at Blackburn's Martin Olsson, and the East Londoners have made a late approach for the player.

Haidara, under contract until 2015, has impressed in a struggling side in Ligue 1, also catching the eye of Italian club Roma.

* CRYSTAL PALACE are eyeing QPR striker DJ Campbell, who is already talking over a move to their Championship promotion rivals Hull but has played for Eagles boss Ian Holloway previously at Blackpool.